Removal Service Trial Scheme for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment launched today (with photos)

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To assist sellers of regulated electrical equipment in providing the statutory removal service as required under the producer responsibility scheme (PRS) on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to be implemented, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the trade have jointly launched the Removal Service Trial Scheme. This will allow the trade and stakeholders to get prepared and familiarise themselves with the relevant operation.

     At the launch ceremony of the Trial Scheme today (November 30), the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said that the PRS on WEEE (WPRS) aims to promote recycling and proper disposal of WEEE generated in Hong Kong. It covers eight types of equipment including air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners and monitors (collectively referred to as regulated electrical equipment).

     Under the WPRS, when a seller sells regulated electrical equipment in Hong Kong, if requested by the consumer, the seller should arrange for the consumer a free removal service for disposal of the same type of waste equipment. This service will help members of the public handle waste equipment requiring disposal, and as the waste equipment collected will be sent to downstream recyclers for proper treatment, it will help turn waste into resources, thereby achieving resources recovery.

"To ensure the smooth implementation of the relevant legislation scheduled for the third quarter of next year, the EPD invited the trade to launch the Trial Scheme so that participating sellers may better understand their statutory duties, familiarise themselves with the operation, enhance their staff training and make other preparatory work as necessary," Mr Wong said.

     The first batch of sellers participating in the Trial Scheme includes 13 sellers with a total of 57 designated physical stores and other sales channels. They will offer a free removal service upon request from customers who purchase regulated electrical equipment. Given that not all shops under a particular seller are participating in the Trial Scheme, members of the public may contact the sellers concerned to enquire on the list of participating stores, or visit the EPD's website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/pro_responsibility/env_levy_weee.html). The Trial Scheme is expected to run until the commencement of the relevant legislation, when all sellers will be required to arrange the statutory removal service for their customers. The EPD envisages that more sellers and stores will join the Trial Scheme in due course.

     Mr Wong also announced that the Government would launch a waste reduction campaign in the coming year under the theme of "Dump Less, Save More", to raise public awareness on waste reduction at source, proper separation of waste and clean recycling through a series of large scale publicity and public education activities. This would help the community to get better prepared for the implementation of the Municipal Solid Waste Charging.

     Other guests attending the launch ceremony included the Chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Appliances Merchants Association, Dr David Mong; the Principal Vice President of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Appliances Merchants Association, Dr Peter Chu; representative of the Hong Kong WEEE Alliance, Professor Chan Kei-biu, and representatives of the sellers participating in the Trial Scheme.

Ends/Thursday, November 30, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:15

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Photo

To assist sellers of regulated electrical equipment in providing the statutory removal service as required under the producer responsibility scheme on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to be implemented, the Environmental Protection Department and the trade have jointly launched the Removal Service Trial Scheme for WEEE. The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing (third left); the Chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Appliances Merchants Association, Dr David Mong (second left); representative of the Hong Kong WEEE Alliance, Professor Chan Kei-biu (first left); the Principal Vice President of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Appliances Merchants Association, Dr Peter Chu (third right); Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Donald Ng (second right); and artiste Janet Chow (first right) jointly officiate at the launch ceremony of the trial scheme today (November 30).

The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, speaks at the launch ceremony of the Removal Service Trial Scheme for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment today (November 30).

The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing (front row, fifth left), and other officiating guests are pictured with the representatives of the first batch of sellers participating in the Removal Service Trial Scheme for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment at today's (November 30) launch ceremony.